New Coach Sought By Year's End

STORRS — UConn athletic director Lew Perkins said Thursday he hopes to name a replacement for football coach Tom Jackson by the end of the year.

Jackson resigned Wednesday after 16 years at UConn, the past 11 as coach. UConn was 6-5 this season; overall, Jackson was 62-57.

"I'd like to get this done as soon as possible but we are not going to rush it," Perkins said. "My first priority is to hire the best coach we can find."

Perkins said he will meet individually with the eight assistants and name one of them interim coach by Monday. Defensive coordinator Greg Williams has ties to Perkins. Williams was at Maryland when Perkins was AD.

"I think that whoever comes in should keep Coach Williams. He's exactly what this program has needed. He turned our defense around dramatically in the last two years. I can imagine what he would do as a head coach."

Jackson, in a statement released Wednesday by UConn, said: "In the best interests of my family and the institution's football program, it's time to move on."

Contacted at home Thursday, Jackson would not comment, saying only: "I'll let the statement speak for itself."

Earlier in the day, Perkins and Jackson met with the players.

"It was tough seeing him walk away," nose tackle Justin Stanko said.

Though Jackson's four-year contract expires Dec. 31, Perkins said the school will keep him until June in some capacity. His base salary this year is $84,459.

UConn is obligated by union regulations to pay all the assistants through June should the new coach choose not to retain them